WEST CHESTER, PA - West Chester University senior Katelyn Martin rallied the Golden Rams from a 5-1 first-half deficit in beating Shippensburg University 16-12 on Tuesday afternoon in the semifinals of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Women's Lacrosse Championship Tournament.

The victory lists WCU into the PSAC title game for the 19th time in school history and improves its overall record to 16-2. The Golden rams will host Lock Haven on Saturday at 1 p.m. in the PSAC Championship after the Bald Eagles knocked off Millersville 14-5 also on Tuesday. Shippensburg ends it season at 8-8.

Martin moved by LIU-C.W. Post's Trisha Moran and into third place all-time on the NCAA Division II career scoring list after posting seven points on six goals and one assist vs. the Red Raiders. She now has 349 career points and needs four to move into second place and 11 to set the all-time mark.

West Chester, which had scored 46 goals vs. Shippensburg in two regular-season games this year, found itself trailing 5-1 midway through the opening half before narrowing the gap to two goals by the break.

In the second half West Chester scored the first four goals to take an 8-6 advantage - a lead it would not relinquish. Stephanie Kienle scored four times, while Christine Kane tallied three goals and handed out four assists.

Kim Hudicka scored five times for the Red Raiders.

West Chester will be looking for its 18th PSAC crown overall since 1983 and third consecutive league title when Lock Haven comes to WCU Saturday. The winner will likely earn a berth in the NCAA II Championship Tournament.

2006-05-02